Vinyl pressings
by Larry Williams & Johnny Watson · 1967
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 3 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
ZSP-115906 1C TIIA side runout, etched [variant 1]
ZSP-115907 1D TIIB side runout, etched [variant 1]
ZSP-115906 1D TIIA runout etched [variant 2]
ZSP-115907 1C TIB runout etched [variant 2]
ZSP-115906 1A SRunout A
ZSP-115907 1B SRunout B
ZSP 115906Label A
ZSP 115907Label B
ZSP-115907 1EEtched Side A
ZSP-115906 1EEtched Side B
ZSP-115907 1E PEtched Side A
ZSP-115906 1E PEtched Side B
7XCA 31511Side A label
7XCA 31512Side B label
7XCA 31511Side A label
7XCA 31512Side B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Canada | Epic 5-7274First year45 RPM, 7" | 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1967 | UK | Columbia DB 8140First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | UK | Columbia DB 8140First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | US | Okeh 4-7274First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1967 | US | Okeh 4-7274First year45 RPM, 7" | 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1967 | US | Okeh 4-7274First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1967 | US | Okeh 4-7274First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1967 | UK | Columbia DB 8140First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | US | Okeh 4-72747", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Okeh 4-72747", 45 RPM, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Mercy, Mercy, Mercy are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1967 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Okeh 4-7274.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-7274, DB 8140, 5-7274) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSP-115906 1C TII and ZSP-115907 1D TII. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
